Apparatus and method for straightening deformed rolls of sheet stock

ABSTRACT

A PAIR OF SPACED-APART, OUTWARDLY CURVED SHOES ARE PROVIDED FOR RESPECTIVELY ENGAGING GENERALLY OPPOSITE INTERNAL SURFACE AREAS OF THE CORE OF A DEFORMED ROLL. A HYDRAULIC RAM IS PROVIDED EXTENDING ON AN EXIST BETWEEN THE SHOES AND HAVING A CYLINDER AND AN EXTENSIBLE PISTON ROD WHICH TERMINATES IN A PIN COAXIAL WITH THE AXIS AND HAVING A ROUNDED DISTAL END. ONE OF THE SHOES HAS A RAISED, PARTCYLINDRICAL PORTION THEREON HAVING ROLLING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE END OF THE CYLINDER REMOTE FROM THE PISTON ROD, AND THE OTHER SHOE HAS AN OPENING THEREIN WHICH REMOVABLY RECEIVES THE ROUNDED DISTAL END OF THE PISTON ROD THEREBY PROVIDING FOR PIVOTAL MOTION OF BOTH SHOES WITH RESPECT TO THE AXIS, WHEREBY THE SHOES GENERALLY CONFORM TWO TO AN OUT-OF-ROUND CONFIGURATION OF THE CORE WITHOUT EXERTING SIDE LOADING ON THE RAM WHEN THE PISTON ROD THEREOF IX EXTENDED.

1971 J. J. VAN GOMPEL 3,625,046

. APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STRAIGHTENING DEFOHMED ROLLS OF SHEET STOCK Filed Oct. 29, 1969 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 lrwerwon: JAmza J. \bwGompzL,

ATTORNEYS- Dec. 7, 1971 J. J. VAN GOMPEL. 3,625,046

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STRAIGHTENING DEFORMED ROLLS OF SHEET STOCK Filed on. 29, 1969 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORZ JAMES J. VAN GOMPEL,

BYW'M,MM

AT ToiiNEYs.

Dec. 7, 1971 J. J. VAN GOMPEL 3,625,046

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STRAIGHTENING DEFORMED RQLLS OF SHEET STOCK Filed Oct. 29, 1969 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 JAMES J- VAN GDMPEL,

AwowaNew sz.

1971 J. J. VAN G PEL 3,625,046

APPAR US METHOD F AIGHT Nu OR ROLLS OF SH" STOC Filed Oct. 29, 1969 5 Shoots-Sheet 4 VENTOR! JAME VAN GoMPEL,

BY W 1441 ATTORNEYS.

1971 J. J. VAN GOMPEL APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STRAIGHTENINU DEFORMED ROLLS OF SHEET STOCK 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 29, 1.969

lNvENToreg JAMES J. VAN GoMPEL, BY M,w,.()-

ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,625,046 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STRAIGHTEN- ING DEFORMED ROLLS OF SHEET STOCK James J. Van Gompel, Fremont, Ind., assignor to Brammall, Inc., Angola, Ind. Filed Oct. 29, 1969, Ser. No. 872,093 Int. Cl. B21 9/12 US. Cl. 72-392 21 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A pair of spaced-apart, outwardly curved shoes are provided for respectively engaging generally opposite internal surface areas of the core of a deformed roll. A hydraulic ram is provided extending on an axis between the shoes and having a cylinder and an extensible piston rod which terminates in a pin coaxial with the axis and having a rounded distal end. One of the shoes has a raised, partcylindrical portion thereon having rolling engagement with the end of the cylinder remote from the piston rod, and the other shoe has an opening therein which removably receives the rounded distal end of the piston rod thereby providing for pivotal motion of both shoes with respect to the axis, whereby the shoes generally conform to an out-of-round configuration of the core without exerting side loading on the ram when the piston rod thereof is extended.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for straightening deformed rolls of sheet stock.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Large rolls of sheet stock, such as printing paper and paper used in the paper-conversion industry, are conventionally supported on cylindrical cores formed of relatively thin-walled material, such as cardboard or metal. During the transportation of such rolls and/or handling of the rolls at the printing or conversion plant, there are times when a roll is dropped or otherwise jostled resulting in deformation or depression of the roll with resultant deformation of the core. Such deformed rolls cannot be employed on modern, high-speed printing presses or conversion equipment due, among other things, to vibration.

The scrap value of a deformed roll of paper is a small fraction of the original cost of the paper and thus, a substantial loss is incurred unless the paper can be salvaged. The web of paper on the roll can, ,of course, be salvaged by rewinding the paper from the deformed roll onto a new, cylindrical core. However, this is a timeconsuming operation requiring rewinding apparatus which is not commonly available in printing and conversion plants.

Pat. No. 3,292,903, granted Dec. 20, 1966, discloses apparatus for straightening deformed paper rolls which comprises a pair of shoes inserted in an end of a deformed core and,a ram-actuated mechanism for separating the shoes which is located exteriorly of the core. By reason of the arrangement and configuration of the actuating linkage, the shoes of such apparatus cannot be located in the deformed core at points therein spaced from the ends, and thus, such apparatus is not suitable for straightening certain severely deformed cores.

US. patent application Ser. No. 689,158, filed Dec. 8, 1967, and now abandoned, and US. application Ser. No. 848,507 filed Aug. 8, 1969, and now abandoned in favor of continuation-in-part application Ser. No. 37,225, filed May 14, 1970, disclose spreaders for damaged cores, these devices generally comprising elongated bodies "ice adapted to be inserted into a deformed core with a ramactuated shoe carried by the body for outwardly forcing depressed areas of the core, thereby to restore the roll to its original round configuration. It has been found that the irregular configuration of the interior surface of deformed cores results in the application of side loading on the hydraulic ram of such spreaders with consequent damage to the ram, in turn necessitating frequent and costly repair or replacement of the ram.

It is therefore desirable to provide an apparatus and method for straightening deformed rolls of sheet stock, the apparatus being of the type employing a hydraulic ram, wherein the apparatus may be inserted into the interior regions of the deformed core, and wherein side loading of the ram is substantially eliminated, thus reducing the cost of maintenance of the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the broader aspects of the apparatus of the invention, a pair of spaced-apart, outwardly curved shoes are provided for respectively engaging generally opposite internal surface areas of the core of a deformed roll, and a hydraulic ram is provided extending on an axis between the shoes and having first and second parts which are relatively movable in the direction of the axis, the parts respectively engaging the shoes. Each of the shoes has means thereon for permittiing pivotal motion thereof with respect to the axis of the ram so that the shoes may generally self-adjust and conform to an out-of-round configuration of the core without exerting side loading on the ram as the same is extended.

In accordance with the broader aspects of the method of the invention, there is inserted in the core of a deformed roll an apparatus which comprises a pair of spacedapart, outwardly curved shoes, and a hydraulic ram which extends on an axis between the the shoes and which has first and second parts relatively movable in the direction of the axis, the shoes respectively having means permitting pivotal motion thereof with respect to the axis. Hydraulic pressure is applied to the ram thereby to extend the same so that the shoes respectively engage two generally opposite internal surface areas of the core and force the same relatively outwardly. The ram is then retracted and the apparatus rotated in the core to a different position. Hydraulic pressure is then again applied to the ram to extend the same so that the shoes now respectively engage another two generally opposite internal surface areas of the core and force the same relatively outwardly.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide improved apparatus for straightening deformed rolls of sheet stock.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus for straightening deformed rolls of sheet stock wherein the apparatus may be inserted into the interior regions of a deformed core.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus of the type employing a hydraulic ram for straightening deformed rolls of sheet stock wherein side loading of the ram is substantially eliminated.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved method for straightening deformed rolls of sheet stock.

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWYINGS FIG. 1 is a side view, partly in cross section, illustrating the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of two devices in accordance with the invention disposed in back-to-back relationship, with the top shoes removed;

FIG. 3 is a side view showing an initial step in a first embodiment of the method of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view showing another step in the first embodiment of the method of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a further step in the first embodiment of the method of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the final step in the first embodiment of the method of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view further illustrating the method step of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a modified form of the bottom shoe of the apparatus of the invention in which the part-cylindrical portion is rotated by 90 from the position of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 99 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side view showing an initial step in a second embodiment of the method of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a side view showing another step in the second embodiment of the method of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a side view showing yet another step in the second embodiment of the method of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a side view showing a further step in the second embodiment of the method of the inenvtion;

FIG. 14 is a side view showing the final step in the second embodiment of the method of the invention;

FIG. 15 shows the cylindrical core resulting from the method of FIGS. 10 through 14;

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the initial step in a third embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 17 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a further step in the third embodiment of the method of the invention employing the apparatus of the invention with a bottom shoe of the type shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1, the apparatus of the invention, generally indicated at 10 comprises top and bottom curved, metal shoes 12 and 14. As illustrated, shoes 12, 14 respectively have arcuate outer surfaces 16 and 18 which generally conform to the desired curvature of the core of a roll to be straightened.

A hydraulic ram 20 is provided having a cylinder 22 with an open end 24 and a fiat, closed end 26. Piston rod 28 is positioned in cylinder 22 extending outwardly from open end 24. An elongated pin 30 is provided having a proximal end 32 removably secured to the outer end 34 of piston rod 28, as by a threaded stud shown in dashed lines at 33, and having a rounded or crowned distal end 36. It will be observed that the cylinder 22, piston rod 28 and pin 30 are disposed on an axis 38 which extends between shoes 12, 14.

Bottom shoe 14 has a raised, part-cylindrical portion 40 secured to its inner surface 42 intermediate its ends in any suitable fashion, as by welding at 44. It will be seen that portion 40 extends transversely across the width dimension of bottom shoe 14. Part-cylindrical portion 40 is disposed in rolling engagement with flat end 26 of cylinder 22 thereby to permit pivotal or rocking motion of bottom shoe 14 with respect to axis 38.

Top shoe 12 has a radiused socket 46 formed in its inner surface 48 intermediate its ends which removably receives rounded distal end 38 of pin 30, thus permitting pivotal movement of top shoe 12 with respect to axis 38.

It will be seen that by providing for pivotal movement of the top and bottom shoes 12, 14 with respect to the axis 38 of the ram 20, the shoes may generally conform to an out-of-round configuration of a deformed roll core without exerting side loading on the ram as the ram is extended by the application of hydraulic pressure to fluid inlet 50, which communicates with cylinder 22 in conventional fashion.

Another radiused socket, shown in dashed lines at 52 may be formed in the inner surface 48 of the top shoe 12 offset from the center socket 46 in order to permit the expansive force to be exerted at a more advantageous location, depending upon the configuration of the deformed core, as shown in FIG. 17.

Referring now to FIG. 2, two apparatuses of the type shown in FIG. 1, identified as 10a and 10b are shown disposed in back-to-back abutting relationship. It will be observed that bottom shoes 14a, 14b are relatively elongated and have planar, opposite longitudinal sides 54' 56 which permit the shoes to be disposed in coplanar, abutting relationship, the diameters of the cylinders 22a, 22b being slightly less than the width of the shoes. It will be understood that the top shoes 12 (not shown in FIG. 2) preferably have the same configuration as the bottom shoes 14 so that they, likewise, may be disposed in coplanar abutting relationship. The capability of locating two or more apparatuses 10 in such back-to-back relationship permits the application of greater straightening force at desired locations. While in FIG. 2, the two apparatuses 10a and 10b are shown as being slightly displaced radially, it will be understood that they may be arranged in alignment parallel with the axis of the core, or that they may be further radially displaced from the position shown in FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a typical deformed roll core 58 is shown, it being understood that a roll of sheet stock, such as paper (not shown) is supported on core 58 and is likewise deformed. Deformed core 58, which may be formed of relatively thin-walled cardboard or metal, is shown as having a typical depression 60 formed therein as a result of deformation of the roll supported thereon, as -by dropping or impingement upon some obstacle. In accordance with the method of the invention, apparatus 10 is positioned in the interior of the deformed core 58, as shown, and hydraulic pressure is applied to inlet 50 of cylinder 22 thereby to extend piston rod 28 and pin 30 so that shoes 12, 14 respectively engage generally opposite internal surface areas 62 and 64 of the deformed core 58, areas 62 and '64 being respectively on opposite sides of the depressed portion 60. It will immediately be observed that by virtue of the pivotal engagement of shoes 12 and 14 with pin 30 and partcylindrical portion 44, respectively, shoes 12, 14 conform to the configuration of the internal surface areas 62, 64 without applying side loading to the ram.

The application of hydraulic pressure to the ram 20 is continued with extension of piston rod 28 and pin 30 thus causing shoes 12, 14 to force areas 62, 64 of the deformed core 58 relatively outwardly, as shown in dashed lines at 62a, 64a, resulting in reduction of the depressed portion 60, as shown in dashed lines at 60a.

Referring now to FIG. 4, following outward expansion of areas 62, 64 of the deformed roll 58, as above described, ram 20 is retracted and rotated to the position shown in FIG. 4. Now, a relatively short top shoe 66 may be substituted for the longer shoe 12 initially employed, shoe 66 however, also having the tapered socket- 46 formed in its inner surface which receives rounded distal end 36 of piston rod 30. Hydraulic pressure is then again applied to extend piston rod 28 and pin 30 until shoe 66 engages the reduced, depressed area 60a. and the bottom shoe 14 engages the opposite internal surface area 68. Application of hydraulic pressure is then continued to force areas 60a, 68 relatively outwardly so as to form core 58 into a generally ovoidal form, as shown in dashed lines at 58a, with the shorter shoe 66 forming the smaller end 60b.

Referring now to FIG. 5, core 58 is shown in a configuration intermediate that shown in solid lines and that shown in dashed lines in FIG. 4, Le. during extension of ram 20 from its retracted to its extended position, and roll 70 of sheet stock, such as paper, is shown on the core 58. It will be understood that roll 70, in its initial deformed condition, had a depressed portion aligned with and causing formation of depressed portion 60 of core 58. As the opposite areas 600, 68 of core 58 are forced outwardly toward the ovoidal configuration shown in dashed lines at 58a in FIG. 4, the depressed portion of roll 70 is likewise forced outwardly however, creases or indentations 72 tend to remain generally radially aligned with the boundries of depressed portion 60 of roll 58, a roll having such indentations being commonly referred to as a starred roll. Such creases or indentations may be removed by striking the outer peripheral surface 74 of roll 70 in the area of indentation 72 with a bat or pompom 76 with a motion shown by the arrows 78, 80 such striking being performed simultaneously with extension of ram 20 to form the core and roll into the ovoidal configuration shown in FIG. 4. By delivering blows to the outer peripheral surface 74 of roll 70 with pompom 7'6 simultaneously with expansion of the roll as above-described, the high portions of the star are pulled and distributed into the remainder of the roll.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, following the steps described above in connection with FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, ram 20, now identified as ram 20a is retracted suificiently so as to substitute a longer top shoe 12a for the shorter top shoe 66. A second ram 20b is then positioned interiorly of core 58 with the axes of rams 20a, 20b being generally perpendicular, as shown. Fluid pressure is then selectively and/or simultaneously applied to rams 20a, 20b, which may be disposed in back-to-back relationship as shown in FIG. 7, so that the respective pairs of shoes 12a, 14a. and 12b, 14b form the core 58 into the desired generally cylindrical configuration.

Rams 20a, 20b are then removed and conventional cylindrical plugs 82 are inserted in the open'ends 84 of the straightened core 58. Final touches may be given to the roll after it has been so plugged by rolling it over a fiat surface and striking high or uneven points on its outer periphery 74 with the pompom 76.

In a specific embodiment of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, cylinder 22 had an overall axial length of 4 /2 inches and an outside diameter of 2% inches, and piston rod 28 had an outside diameter of 1% inches and a maximum axial extension of 2 /2 inches. Pins 30 had an outside diameter of'1 A inches and varied in axial length from 1 inch to 7 inches.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, a modified form of bottom shoe 114 is shown in which the raised, partcylindrical portion 140 is rotated by 90 from the position of the portion 140 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, portion 140 in this embodiment extending parallel with the length dimension of bottom shoe 114. The bottom shoe 114 may be employed in conjunction with the cylinder 22 and top shoe 12 of FIG. 1 in applications where the top and bottom shoes cannot be in alignment, such as that shown in FIG. 17.

Referring now to FIG. another typical deformed roll core 86 is shown having a typical deep depression 88 formed therein. It is desirable in straightening the deformed core 86 to apply the initial and intermediate expanding force at points on the interior surface of the core 86 which would be diametrically opposite if the core were cylindrical, i.e. at points spaced apart by a distance equal to one-half the circumference of the core when in its cylindrical form but following the deformed periphery of the core, as shown by the lines 90 in FIG. '10. Thus, top and bottom shoes 12, 14 are preferably positioned as closely as possible to such points 90.

In the particular deformed core 86 shown in FIG. 10 by reason of the depth of the depression 88, it is initially impossible to seat distal end 36 of pin 30 in the central socket 46 of top shoe 12, and thus distal end 36 is initially seated in the offset socket 52, as shown. It will be observed that in the initial position of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 10, the edges of the top and bottom shoes 12, 14 define an angle A, which is approximately 30 in the case of the particular deformed core shown.

Following initial positioning of ram 20 and the top and bottom shoes 12, 14 as shown in FIG. 10, cylinder 22 is actuated thereby to extend piston rod 28 and pin 30 in the direction shown by the arrow 92, thereby forcing opposite portions 94, 96 of core 86 outwardly so as to reduce the depressed portion 88 outwardly, as shown by the arrow 98.

Referring now to FIG. 11, as soon as the depressed portion 88 has been moved outwardly in direction 98 sufiiciently to permit distal end 36 of pin 30 to be seated in the central socket 46 of top shoe 12, cylinder 22 is actuated to retract piston rod 28 and pin 30 sufficiently to permit distal end 36 to be moved from socket 52 to socket 46, as shown, and cylinder 22 is then again actuated to extend piston rod 28 and pin 30 in direction 92 thereby further to force opposite portions 94, 96 of core 86 outwardly so as further to reduce the depth of depressed portion 88, as shown by the arrow 98.

It will now be observed that in the position shown in FIG. 11, the expansive force exerted by ram 20 by engagement of the top and bottom shoes 12, 14 with the opposite internal surfaces of core 86 is applied in general alignment with points 90 which are spaced apart by one-half the circumference of the normal cylindrical core. It will further be observed that the angle A defined between the edges of the respective top and bottom shoes 12, 14 has been somewhat reduced from that shown in FIG. 10.

Referring now to FIG. 12, as a result of the outward extension of piston rod 28 and pin 30 in direction 92, thereby outwardly to expand opposite portions 94, 96 of core 86, piston rod 28 will reach its fully extended position so that no further outward expansion of core 86 would be possible. Thus, when portions 94, 96 of core 86 have been expanded outwardly to the extent possible with the length of the particular pin 30 employed in the steps shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, cylinder 22 is actuated to retract piston rod 28 and a longer pin 30-1 is substituted for the shorter pin 30. Distal end 36 of the longer pin 30-1 is again seated in the central socket 46, and cylinder 22 is again actuated to extend piston rod 28 and pin 30-1 in direction 92 thereby further to expand por tions 94, 96 of core 86 outwardly, and further to reduce depressed portion 88 in direction 98.

Referring now to FIG. 13, as the outward expansion of opposite portions 94, 96 of core 86 continues in direction 92, depressed portion 88 will eventually disappear completelyand the portions 100, 102 intermediate end portions 94, 96 will tend to define parallel planes, as shown. In the process of expanding core 86 to the configuration shown in FIG. 13, it may be necessary to substitute a still longer pin 30-2 for the shorter pin 30-1 employed during the step shown in FIG. 12. It will now be observed that the diametrically opposite portions 94, 96 now conform to the arcuate configuration of the top and bottom shoes 12, 14 which, in turn, conform to the inside diameter of desired cylindrical core, as shown in FIG. 15.

Referring now to FIG. 14, a second ram 20b (the ram and its components employed in the previous steps being identified with the suffix a) is introduced disposed at 90 with respect to ram 20a with its top and bottom shoes 12b, 14b respectively engaging the opposite portions 102, 100 of core 86, a relatively short pin 30b being employed with ram 20b. Then, cylinder 22b is actuated to extend piston rod 28b and pin 30b in direction 104, while cylinder 22a of ram 20a is simultaneously actuated to retract piston rod 28a and pin 30-2 in direction 106, thereby causing the core 86 to begin to assume its desired cylindrical configuration. As this process continues, it will be necessary progressively to substitute shorter pins 30a on ram 22a. The extension of cylinder 28b and pin 30b together with the simultaneous retraction of piston rod 28a and pin 30a then continues until the core 86 has been restored to its cylindrical configuration, as shown in FIG. 15.

Referring now to FIG. 16, a paper roll 108 is shown having a core 110 which is sufficiently collapsed to prevent initial insertion of the apparatus of the invention. Here, core expanding apparatus 112 is provided having a pair of elongated, pointed, expansible elements 116, 118. Elements 116, 118, in their collapsed position, are inserted or driven into end 120 of the collapsed core 110, as shown. Elements 116, 118 are adapted for outward separating movement, in the direction shown by the arrows 122, by a suitable fluid power cylinder (not shown). Expanding apparatus 112 may be of the type illustrated and described in the aforesaid Pat. No. 3,292,903, or other similar apparatus for end-insertion into a collapsed core, as is well known to those skilled in the art.

Referring now to FIG. 17, expanding apparatus 112 is then actuated to separate elements 116, 118 so as to Widen end opening 120 of core 110 sufficiently to introduce ram 20 therein. It will be observed that in this initial widening of end opening 120 of the collapsed core 110, the opposite wall portions of the core become inclined inwardly away from opening 120 toward the opposite end 126 of the core, as shown in FIG. 17. Here, a bottom shoe 114 of the type shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and described above is employed with its part-cylindrical portion 140 thus being disposed at right angles to the longitudinal axis of core 110. This permits top and bottom shoes 112, 114 to accommodate themselves to the inclined relationship of the opposite walls of core 110, as shown.

With ram 20 thus positioned in the widened opening 120 of the collapsed core 110, cylinder 22 is actuated thereby to extend piston rod 28 and pin 30 in the direction shown by the arrow 124 thereby further to widen the opening 120. Ram 20 may then be moved toward the smaller end 126 of core 110 and the operation repeated until the collapsed core 110 has been expanded in at least one dimension sufficiently to perform the method steps of the type described above for restoring the core to its original cylindrical configuration.

While employment of a single ram 20 has been shown in FIGS. 3-5 and 10-13, and two back-to-back rams 20a, 20b, in FIGS. 6 and 7, and 14 and 15 it will be readily understood that in the case of an elongated roll having an elongated deformed core, a number of rams may be employed at spaced intervals along the interior of the core, each ram being positioned in accordance with the location and configuration of the depressed portion 60 at that particular point, thus providing flexibility in straightening which is not afforded by the prior art devices abovedescribed.

While there have been described above the principles of this invention in connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for straightening deformed rolls of sheet stock comprising a pair of spaced-apart, outwardly curved shoes for respectively engaging generally opposite internal surface areas of the core of a deformed roll, and a hydraulic ram extending on an axis between said shoes and having first and second parts relatively movable in the direction of said axis, said parts respectively removably engaging said shoes, each of said shoes having means thereon for permitting pivotal motion thereof with respect to the respective part whereby said shoes may generally conform to an out-of-round configuration of said core without exerting side loading on said ram as the same is extended.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pivotal means on one of said shoes comprises a raised, part-cylindrical portion on said one shoe engaging one of said ram parts.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said one shoe is elongated in the direction of its curvature and has opposite ends in said direction, said raised portion having an axis extending transversely of the direction of elongation of said one shoe and being disposed generally midway between said opposite ends thereof.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said one shoe is elongated in the direction of its curvature and has opposite ends in said direction, said raised portion having an axis extending parallel with the direction of elongation of said one shoe and being disposed generally midway between said opposite ends thereof.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of said ram parts includes a pin coaxial with said axis and having a rounded distal end, the pivotal means on one of said shoes comprising a socket for selectively, removably, swivelly receiving said distal end of said pin.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said socket is positioned generally midway between the opposite extremities of said one shoe in the direction of its curvature, said one shoe having a second socket spaced from said first-named socket toward one of said extremities for selectively, removably, swivelly receiving said distal end of said pin.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ram includes a cylinder having open and closed ends, and a piston rod in said cylinder and extending outwardly from said open end, said piston rod having a pin removably secured thereto coaxial with said axis and having a rounded distal end, the' pivotal means on one of said shoes comprising a raised, curved portion engaging said closed end of said cylinder, the pivotal means on the other of said shoes comprising a socket formed therein for selectively, removably, swivelly receiving said distal end of said pin.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said closed end of said cylinder has a flat surface in rolling engagement with said curved portion which is part-cylindrical.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said shoes has a curved outer surface generally conforming to the inner surface of an undeformed roll core.

10. The method of straightening deformed rolls of sheet stock comprising the steps of (a) inserting in the core of the deformed roll an apparatus comprising a pair of spaced-apart, outwardly curved shoes, and a hydraulic ram extending on an axis between said shoes and having first and second parts relatively movable in the direction of said axis, said shoes respectively having means permitting pivotal motion thereof with respect to said axis; (b) applying hydraulic pressure to said ram thereby .to extend the same so that said shoes respectively engage two generally opposite internal surface areas of said core and force the same relatively outwardly; (c) retracting said ram and rotating said apparatus in said core to a different position; and again (d) applying hydraulic pressure to said ram thereby to extend the same so that said shoes respectively engage another two generally opposite internal surface areas of said core and force the same relatively outwardly.

11. The method of straightening deformed rolls of sheet stock comprising the steps of: (a) inserting in the core of the deformed roll an apparatus comprising a pair of spaced-apart, outwardly curved shoes, and a hydraulic ram extending on an axis between said shoes and having first and second parts relatively movable in the direction of said axis, said shoes respectively having means permitting pivotal motion thereof with respect to said axis; (b) applying hydraulic pressure to said ram thereby to extend the same so that said shoes respectively engage two generally opposite internal surface areas of said core and force the same relatively outwardly; said core initially having a substantially depressed portion extending into its interior, said two areas being respectively on opposite sides of said depressed portion whereby forcing of said first-named areas relatively outwardly causes reduction of said depressed portion.

12. The method of claim 11 comprising the further steps of: (c) retracting said ram and rotating said apparatus in said core to a different position; and again (d) applying hydraulic pressure to said ram thereby to extend the same so that said shoes respectively engage another two generally opposite internal surface areas of said core and force the same relatively outwardly; said other two areas being said reduced depressed portion and an internal surface area of said core generally opposite said reduced depressed portion.

13. The method of straightening deformed rolls of sheet stock comprising the steps of: (a) inserting in the core of the deformed roll in apparatus comprising a pair of spaced-apart, outwardly curved shoes, and a hydraulic ram extending on an axis between said shoes and having first and second parts relatively movable in the direction of said axis, said shoes respectively having means permitting pivotal motion thereof with respect to said axis; (b) applying hydraulic pressure to said ram thereby to extend the same so that said shoes respectively engage two generally opposite internal surface areas of said core and force the same relatively outwardly; said ram including a cylinder, a piston rod, and a pin removably secured to said piston rod and having a distal end removably swivelly engaging one of said shoes, said step (b) including initially employing a first said pin having a first predetermined length, and thereafter substituting for said first pin a second pin longer than said first pin.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the shoes initial- 1y employed in steps (a) and (b) are elongated in the direction of their curvature, and wherein said step (e) includes substituting a relatively shorter shoe for one of said shoes initially employed, and orienting said apparatus so that said shorter shoe engages said reduced depressed portion upon extension of said ram during said step (d).

15. The method of claim 12 wherein said step (d) includes extending said ram sufficiently so that said shoes form said core into a generally oval configuration.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said step (d) includes extending said ram sufficiently so that the other of said initial shoes and said shorter shoe form said core into a generally ovoidal configuration with said shorter shoe forming the smaller end thereof.

17. The method of claim 11 comprising the further step of striking the exterior surface of said roll in areas generally radially aligned with the respective boundaries of said reduced depressed portion simultaneously with said step (b).

18. The method of straightening deformed rolls of sheet stock comprising the steps of: (a) inserting in the core of the deformed roll an apparatus comprising a pair of spaced-apart, outwardly curved shoes, and a hydraulic ram extending on an axis between said shoes and having first and second parts relatively movable in the direction of the axis, said shoes respectively having means permitting pivotal motion thereof with respect to said axis; (b) applying hydraulic pressure to said ram thereby to extend the same so that said shoes respectively engage two generally opposite internal surface areas of said core and force the same relatively outwardly; (c) inserting in said core a second apparatus comprising a second pair of spaced-apart, outwardly curved shoes, and a second hydraulic ram extending on a second axis between said second shoes and having first and second parts relatively movable in the direction of said second axis, said second shoes respectively having means permitting pivotal motion with respect to said second axis, said second apparatus being positioned closely adjacent said first-named apparatus with their respective axes generally perpendicular; and ((1) simultaneously applying hydraulic pressure to both of said rams whereby the respective shoes engage the respective internal surface areas of said core and force the same relatively out- Wardly into a generally cylindrical configuration.

19. The method of straightening deformed rolls of sheet stock comprising the steps of: (a) inserting in the core of the deformed roll an apparatus comprising a pair of spaced-apart, outwardly curved shoes, and a hydraulic ram extending on an axis between said shoes and having first and second parts relatively movable in the direction of said axis, said shoes respectively having means permitting pivotal motion thereof with respect to said axis; (b) applying hydraulic pressure to said ram thereby to extend the same so that said shoes respectively engage two generally opposite internal surface areas of said core and force the same relatively outwardly, said shoes being elongated in the direction of their curvature and are of generally equal length, said step (b) including extending said ram sufficiently so that said core is elongated with the internal surface areas respectively intermediate said first-named surface areas defining spaced generally parallel planes.

20. The method of claim 19 comprising the further steps of: (c) inserting in said core a second apparatus comprising a second pair of spaced-apart, outwardly curved shoes, and a second hydraulic ram extending on a second axis between said second shoes and having first and second parts relatively movable in the direction of said second axis, said second shoes respectively having means permitting pivotal motion with respect to said second axis, said second apparatus being positioned closely adjacent said first-named apparatus with their respective axes generally perpendicular; and (d) simultaneously applying hydraulic pressure to both of said rams whereby the respective shoes engage the respective internal surface areas of said core and force the same relatively outwardly into a generally cylindrical configuration; all of said shoes having curved outer surfaces generally conformng to the inner surface of an undeformed roll core.

21. The method of straightening deformed rolls of sheet stock comprising the steps of (a) inserting an expansion tool in one end of the collapsed core of the deformed roll and expanding the same thereby to widen the opening of said core in said one end; (b) inserting through said widened opening at said one end of said core an apparatus comprising a pair of spaced-apart, outwardly curved shoes, and a hydraulic ram extend-ing on an axis between said shoes and having first and second parts relatively movable in the direction of said axis, said shoes respectively having means permitting pivotal motion thereof with respect to said axis; (c) applying hydraulic pressure to said ram thereby to extend the same so that said shoes respectively engage two generally opposite internal surface areas of said core and force the same relatively outwardly.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,157,073 10/1915 Baash 72392 1,623,405 4/1927 Gocke 72392 1,837,690 12/1931 Sunde 72392 2,185,550 1/ 1940 Gerdes 72705 2,263,247 11/ 1941 Raisanen 72-705 2,517,547 8/ 1950 Derginer 72705 2,687,763 8/1954 Perkins i 72-392 3,061,916 11/1962 Krets 29238 3,312,099 4/ 1967 Koepf 72392 3,408,848 11/1968 Lague 72705 3,292,903 12/1966 Meyer 254124 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner G. P. CROSBY, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 72453, 482, 705 

